MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, JUNE 23, 2003

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001471

SIPDIS

FOR PD/WHA (MBUCKLEY); IIP/G/WHA DIPASQUALE; EB/EPPD DCLUNE;
USTR AGASH
INFO IIP/T/ES
EMBASSIES FOR PAOS, IOs,

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP PREL KPAO IZ HO PA
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION ON IRAQ, JUNE 23, 2003



1. Editorial in Tegucigalpa-based liberal daily "La Tribuna"
on 6/23 entitled "Chandelier". "President Bush is trying to
reconfigure the U.S.'s alliances with its southern
neighbors. Bush visited Europe to reunite with his
colleagues from the G-8; tensions decreased between France
and Germany, yet it seems Bush and Chirac do not have enough
chemistry. A few weeks later the European Union, imposed
sanctions on CUBA because of this country's political
opposition, in a move that some have interpreted as an
action to get closer to Washington."

"The U.S. and Brazil are enhancing their bilateral
relationship, and to prove that, President Bush agreed to
aid President Lula in his `Zero Hunger Project'. Although,
the Brazilian press has noted that Lula has slighted his
deal because Bush did not compromise to the Brazilian
aspiration to become a member of the U.N. Security Council.
Chile has already signed a FTA with the U.S. Even though
some Central American countries are part of the `coalition'
and are sending troops to aid in Iraq's reconstruction, they
still cannot sign a CAFTA agreement because the Central
American countries have not yet agreed on a common
proposal."


Palmer